Iran declares full Hormuz closure again after renewed U.S. strikes on key sites

Iran’s military declared a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz early Thursday, warning that any vessel attempting passage would be fired on, following a fresh round of U.S. air strikes on what Washington described as key facilities inside the country.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the new strikes, framing them as a response to recent Iranian attacks, including the downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter over the strait earlier in the week. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard retaliated with a drone strike on the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain and long-range missiles aimed at a U.S. airbase in Jordan, where air defenses intercepted five of the projectiles.

The closure declaration came a day after Revolutionary Guard naval forces struck two vessels attempting to cross the strait. U.S. Central Command separately disabled the Palau-flagged tanker M/T Settebello, killing three Indian crew members. Since a partial blockade began in mid-April, U.S. forces have disabled eight ships and redirected 134 more.

Brent crude edged up to $93.18 a barrel after the announcement. Iran’s blanket order threatens fertilizer and pharmaceutical cargoes alongside energy shipments, with about a third of seaborne fertilizer trade, including ammonia, sulfur and urea, normally transiting the strait.